Callie K. DeBellis

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EDUCATION

 

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC                                              

· Master of Arts in Hispanic Literature                                                                                                   May 2004

· Thesis:  “Americanization” of Chilean Author Alberto Fuguet

· Director: Dr. Stuart Day; Committee members: Dr. Greg Dawes, Dr. María Salgado

· Teaching Fellow

                                                                                                 

Colorado College - Colorado Springs, CO                                                           

 · Bachelor of Arts: English                                                                                                                     May 1996

 · Concentration in nineteenth- and twentieth-century American novels   

 · Thesis: Mutant Message Down Under: A Western Assimilation of the Other

 · Director: Dr. Barry Sarchett

                                                                                                                                    

School for International Training - Valparaíso, Chile                                                                 Spring 1995

· Completed coursework toward B.A. including Spanish, Chilean Culture, and field study techniques.             

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

Spanish Instructor – Raleigh, NC                                                                                                                     August 2004 – Present

Meredith College

· Taught beginning and intermediate Spanish classes focusing on all four language skills and Hispanic culture.

· Created lesson plans following the communicative approach to language acquisition.

· Incorporated cooperative learning structures and activities in each class in order to maximize student learning.

· Developed games and innovative review structures to prepare students for exams.

· Designed a variety of oral assessment tools to use throughout the semester.

· Developed individual and group projects using films and music representative of a number of different Spanish-speaking countries.

 

CORE 100 Instructor - Raleigh, NC                                                                                                                        Fall 2006-Present

Meredith College 

· Taught required General Education Course “The Context of Culture,” which explored the varying types of diversity in the US and a historical context for each.

· Created and led cooperative learning discussions and activities based on readings and experiential learning events.

· Collaborated with three other colleagues on the development of a new experiential education event: planned event, researched relevant readings, and created reflections questions.

· Actively participated in CORE 100 Teaching Circle contributing suggestions and feedback throughout the semester.

 

Program Director – Meredith Abroad in Costa Rica                                                                                                 Summer 2006

Meredith College

· Developed and directed new study abroad program offering Biology and Spanish credit to 16 undergraduate students in rural Costa Rica.

·  Created proposal, 3-week itinerary, recruiting materials, and program budget.

·  Hired and managed Biology instructor and program assistant.  

·  Planned pre-departure and in-country orientations, which presented basic information about Costa Rica’s culture, history and politics while also exposing students to cross-cultural communication issues. 

·  Developed curriculum and program specific course packs for two levels of Spanish classes integrating the language with Biology, Conservation and Costa Rican culture.

·  Hosted reunion and post-program check-in for students to share photos and re-entry experiences.

 

Spanish Teaching Fellow – Chapel Hill, NC                                                                                              August 2002 – May 2004

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

·  Implemented the communicative approach to language acquisition while creating lessons plans and assessment tools that incorporated listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

·  Taught beginning-Spanish review class focusing on conversation.

·  Taught third- and fourth-semester Spanish classes based on the culture, history, and literature of Spanish-speaking countries.

 

English as a Second Language Instructor – Raleigh, NC                                                                      May 2001 – August 2002

Wake Technical Community College

·  Taught advanced English as a Second Language continuing education classes.

·  Created conversation-based curriculum focusing on US life-skills and culture.

 

Spanish Teacher – Raleigh, NC                                                                                                               February 2000 – June 2001

St. Timothy’s-Hale High School

·  Taught first and second year Spanish to eighth- and eleventh-graders in a private secondary school.

·  Developed syllabi and supplementary materials emphasizing conversation and culture.

 

Spanish and TOEFL Preparation Teacher - Williamstown and Amherst, MA                                                       Summer 1999

Putney Student Travel: Excel at Williams College and Amherst College

· Developed curriculum and taught Intermediate Conversational Spanish and TOEFL Preparation to high school students in residential summer programs.

 

Spanish Teacher – Madrid and Barcelona, Spain                                                                                                          Summer 2000

Putney Student Travel: Excel Program in Spain

·  Designed and taught experiential-learning Spanish program for intermediate and advanced high school students in a residential academic enrichment setting. 

·  Planned daily excursions throughout Madrid and Barcelona integrating targeted language skills and cultural exploration.

 

Training Coordinator - Mérida, México                                                                                                    September 1998 – April 1999

RARE Center for Tropical Conservation: Nature Guide Training Program

·  Trained, supported, and evaluated a team of seven North American World Teach volunteers in TEFL methods and cross-cultural issues during a nature guide training course.

·  Developed an integrated curriculum of English, Natural History, and Guiding Skills for a group of 15 adult students from rural Mexico.     

·  Initiated and guided teachers through weekly assessment projects.

·  Wrote Volunteer Training and Management chapter for Nature Guide Training Program Manual later used by organization in various countries.

 

English as a Foreign Language Teacher - Costa Rica                                                                               January 1998 – June 1998                  

Fundación Neotrópica: Nature Guide Training Program

·  Taught English and Natural History to 15 nature guides, ages 16-35, for a three-month English immersion course that took place in various nature reserves and national parks.

·  Designed course materials and cooperative learning activities relevant to five different ecological sites.

 

English as a Foreign Language Teacher - Tucurrique, Costa Rica                                                                                            1997

World Teach: Harvard Institute for International Development

· Designed and taught English-language curriculum to first- and second-grade students in a rural elementary school under the auspices of the Costa Rican Ministry of Education.

· Created and incorporated lessons with games, songs, and dances while implementing the communicative approach to language acquisition.

· Founded and facilitated Eco-English Club for all ages of elementary and middle school children.

· Developed coursework, initiated, and taught adult English classes in the community. 

 

Spanish and Literacy Teacher – Denver, CO                                                                                                                         Fall 1996

Youthtrack, Inc. - Fox Street School

·  Developed curriculum and taught literacy skills and conversational Spanish at an alternative school for at-risk teenage boys.

·  Organized and planned lessons for weekly field-trips and extended backpacking retreats.

 

RELATED EXPERIENCE 

 

Translator – Raleigh, NC                                                                                                                                        May 2002 – August 2003

Students Against Violence Everywhere

· Translated 300-page manual and brochures of violence prevention strategies and lesson plans from English to Spanish for international non-profit organization.

 

Project Coordinator – Raleigh, NC                                                                                                               August 1999 - February 2000

Center for the Prevention of School Violence

· Coordinated databases, edited mailings, and responded to information requests for national non-profit educational organization.

 

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

 

 “’Magical Neoliberalism’ as a Transculturating Force in the Narrative of Alberto Fuguet.”  Presented at the Mountain Interstate Foreign Language Conference at The College of Charleston.  October, 2003.

 

“The New Voice of Nancy Morejón.”  Presented at the International Symposium of Poetry at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  March, 2003.

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS 

 

Contemporary Latin American Novels and Short Stories

            Transculturation in the narrative of the McOndo generation of writers

Twentieth-Century Latin American and Chicano Theater

           Latin American political theater as a response to dictatorial regimes 

           The role of the Teatro Campesino in shaping community and national politics

Adult Foreign Language Acquisition

            The varying techniques used in teaching foreign language to older adults

 

TEACHING INTERESTS 

 

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Language and Culture

Spanish Conversation

Twentieth- and Twenty-first Century Latin American Novels and Short Stories

Latin American Theater

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

American Translator’s Association

             

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

 

Learning Together: Volunteer translator                                                                                    Fall 2006-Present

Students Against Violence Everywhere: volunteer translator & event preparation                  Fall 2004-Present

International Festival: volunteer ticket taker & program distributor                                               Fall 2006